Prunus plant named &#39;MONARONE&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Prunus  cultivar named ‘MONARONE’ is disclosed, characterized by reduced flower and fruit production on compact plants. Foliage is distinctively short and has less susceptibility to leaf shot disease. The new cultivar is a  Prunus , suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Latin name of the genus and species: Prunus laurocerasus.

Variety denomination: ‘MONARONE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a chance discovery in a commercial setting by the inventor. In Summer 2013, the inventor, Cesar Velazquez discovered an interesting whole plant mutation in a commercial planting of the unpatented parent variety Prunus laurocerasus ‘Majestic Jade’. This single branch mutation was discovered at a commercial nursery in Dayton, Oreg.

During the summer of 2013 the inventor propagated the interesting mutation by semi-softwood cuttings at the commercial nursery in Dayton, Oreg. The initial propagation showed the mutation to be stable and additional generations were propagated, also by semi-hardwood cuttings. Approximately 3 generations have been reproduced since 2013, and have shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘MONARONE’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘MONARONE’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘MONARONE’ as a new and distinct Prunus cultivar:

-   -   1. More compact plant habit.     -   2. Shorter foliage than typical.     -   3. Reduced flower and fruit production.     -   4. Reduced susceptibility to shot hole disease (Xanthomonas         pruni and X campestris).

COMPARISON TO PARENT VARIETY

Plants of the new cultivar ‘MONARONE’ are similar to plants of the parent; Prunus laurocerasus ‘Majestic Jade’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘MONARONE’ differ from the parent variety in the following:

-   -   1. More compact plant habit.     -   2. Shorter foliage.     -   3. Less flowers and fruit produced.     -   4. Less susceptible to leaf shot disease (Xanthomonas pruni and         X campestris).

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘MONARONE’ can be compared to the commercial variety Prunus laurocerasus ‘Nana’, unpatented. Plants of the new cultivar ‘MONARONE’ are similar to plants of ‘Nana’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘MONARONE’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. Darker green foliage.     -   2. Less flower and fruit production     -   3. Cold tolerant to USDA Zones 6-9, ‘Nana’ tolerates         temperatures in USDA Zones 7-9.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘MONARONE’ grown outdoors in Oregon.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a close up of the foliage. The plant is approximately 2 years old, and is planted in a 5 gallon pot. The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘MONARONE’ plants grown outdoors in Dayton, Oreg. Plants are approximately 2 to 3 years old, in a 5 gallon nursery container. Temperatures ranged from −8° C. to 20° C. at night to 5° C. to 35° C. during the day. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Prunus laurocerasus ‘MONARONE’. -   Propagation:     -   -   Time to rooting.—Approximately 4 to 8 weeks at approximately             20° C. to 30° C. from semi-hardwood cuttings.         -   Root description.—Fine, fibrous young roots. Older roots             becoming woody. Tan and brown in color, not accurately             measured with R.H.S. chart. -   Plant:     -   -   Growth habit.—Upright and outwardly spreading evergreen             shrub. Moderately dense.         -   Shape.—Round.         -   Height.—Approximately 60 to 65 cm.         -   Plant spread.—Approximately 60 to 65 cm.         -   Branching characteristics.—Above average branching for the             species, average 6 to 8 main branches, angled approximately             15 to 45 degrees on average.         -   Length of lateral branches.—Approximately 25 to 40 cm.         -   Diameter of lateral branches.—Approximately 0.7 to 1.0 cm.         -   Lateral branch strength.—Very strong, with some flexibility.         -   Lateral branch color.—Young branches near RHS Yellow-Green             144A.         -   Mature branches.—Near RHS Greyed-Green 197A.         -   Stem texture.—No pubescence observed. Texture moderately             rough, somewhat scaly. Lenticels: Scant, round, 1 mm             diameter colored near 197D. Occuring only on older, woody             branches.         -   Number of leaves per lateral branch.—Average 25 to 45.         -   Internode length.—1.0 to 1.5 cm.         -   Age of plant described.—Approximately 2 to 3 years. -   Foliage:     -   -   Leaf.—Type: Simple. Arrangement: Alternate. Average Length:             Approximately 8.0 to 10.5 cm. Average Width: Approximately             2.0 to 2.5 cm. Shape of blade: Elliptic. Apex: Acute. Base:             Attenuate. Attachment: Short petiolate. Margin: Entire.             Aspect: Moderate upward fold from center vein. Texture of             top surface: Smooth. Texture of bottom surface: Smooth.             Appearance of top surface: Very glossy. Texture of bottom             surface: Matte. Leaf internode length: Approximately 0.5 to             1.1 cm. Color: Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green             139A. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green 143C. Mature             foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 139A. Mature foliage             under side: Near RHS Green 143C. Venation: Type: Pinnate.             Venation color upper side: Near Green 143C. Venation color             under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B.         -   Petiole.—Length: 6 mm. Width: 3 mm. Texture: Glabrous all             surfaces. Color: Upper Surface: Yellow-Green 144B. Lower             Surface: Yellow Green 144A. -   Flower: Not observed at the time of filing. -   Reproductive organs: Not observed at the time of filing. -   Other characteristics:     -   -   Disease and pest resistance.—Not observed to be susceptible             nor resistant to normal diseases and pests of Prunus             laurocerasus.         -   Drought tolerance.—No tolerance for drought, extra water             required in extremely high temperatures.         -   Temperature tolerance.—USDA Zones 6 to 9. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Prunus laurocerasus plant named ‘MONARONE’ as herein illustrated and described. 